Apostolakis, Filis and Ifantis took part in the anniversary event organised by the Kalymnos Regional Administration, moderated by Athanasios Ellis, examining the legacy of 1996 and today’s Greek–Turkish challenges.
The legacy of the Imia crisis and its continuing relevance to Greek foreign and defence policy took centre stage in Kalymnos today, Saturday, 24 October 2026, at an anniversary event marking three decades since the confrontation.
Entitled “Imia 1996–2026: Thirty Years On,” the event was organised by the Kalymnos Regional Administration and held at the Kalymnos Cultural Centre.
Thirty years after the January 1996 crisis, the event brought historical reflection together with discussion of contemporary Greek–Turkish relations, the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean, and Greece’s diplomatic and defence choices.
Participants included Evangelos Apostolakis, Honorary Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, former Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament; Constantinos Filis, Professor of International Relations at the American College of Greece; and Kostas Ifantis, Professor of International Relations at Panteion University and former director of the Institute of International Relations.
Athanasios Ellis, journalist and editor-in-chief of Kathimerini’s English edition, delivered the introductory remarks and moderated the event.
According to the organisers, the initiative aimed to encourage informed public debate on the lessons of the crisis, current security challenges and the decisions that will shape Greece’s position in the years ahead. For Kalymnos, these questions carry particular significance because of their direct connection to the surrounding waters and the region’s recent history.
The event was sponsored by ARGO SA and ELENA VILLAGE NTOVELLOS G.M. SA.
